NEWS: Brian Griffiths @ BALTIC

An artist with an innate sense of imagination, London artist Brian Griffiths forces the viewer to look at objects and, in this case, people, with a fresh perspective. In the artist’s work it’s common to find unusual juxtapositions – ‘the body and ground (or your lovely smile)’ ropes a tent-like structure over a giant bear head sculpture, with both amusing and faintly depressing results – but his new exhibition, entitled Bill Murray: A Story of Distance, Size and Sincerity takes inspiration from the titular celebrated actor.

Using the basis of Bill Murray’s persona – “the global superstar, guy-next-door, anti-brand brand, irrepressible lothario, dignified clown and droll philosopher” – the Goldsmiths graduate presents a confusing view of scale, size, closeness and distance. Utilising found materials and everyday objects, Griffiths forces objects together with architecture – from a lavish LA beach house to a historic Scottish mansion – into a series of set pieces which are grounded on tables throughout the gallery space.

Promising to be a humorous as well as thought-provoking exhibition, the artist will also take part in a discussion with Alessandro Vincentelli, curator or exhibitions and research at BALTIC, on Wednesday 10th February.